NOTEBOOK: Chargers lose Goodman, sign Ajirotutu

Goodman tore his hamstring on Sunday's opening kickoff against the Cleveland Browns and was placed on injured reserve on Monday morning.

Ajirotutu was on his couch at that time, hoping the phone would ring.

At 11:36 a.m., it finally did. The Chargers called an offered a job to an unemployed receiver looking for another chance to prove his mettle.

The San Diego resident was in a team meeting 24 minutes later.

Ajirotutu was thrilled to be a Charger, for a second time. He signed here as an undrafted rookie in 2010, played for the Carolina Panthers in 2011, and was part of their final cut this preseason. Since then, he's been on the outside looking for a way back in.

“I'm so excited,” Ajirotutu said. “In the back of my mind, I always wanted to be back here. Now I just need to make the most of my opportunity. ”

Ajirotutu's excitement provided stark contrast to the disappointment felt just a few feet away. Goodman tried to put a positive spin on his season's abrupt end, no easy task considering the severity of his injury.

“In my opinion, this is a minor setback and a prelude to a major comeback,” Goodman said. “I'm an aggressive football player. That's how I've always played, and this injury won't change that. It won't make me timid. It was an unfortunate situation, where I made an aggressive move on that opening kickoff and I got tackled in a freakish way. It's disappointing to have a season end this way, but I'm going to stay upbeat and work my way back up.”

Goodman has a long rehab ahead. He'll have his torn hamstring surgically repaired Nov. 5 and won't resume football activities until the offseason.

The Chargers need Ajirotutu to contribute right away. He'll play Thursday as a reserve receiver, a prospect made possible by his experience with the Chargers offense. He played 10 games for the Chargers in 2010, and caught 13 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns. He's remembered fondly for a 4-catch, 111-yard performance in a pivotal win at Houston where he secured the only touchdowns of his career.

He was cut in the 2011 training camp, spent a lackluster regular season with Carolina and became a camp casualty prior to this season. He's worked out at San Diego State since then, and went to Chargers home games in support of his best friend and fellow Fresno State product, running back Ryan Mathews.

He practiced with the team on Monday afternoon and felt comfortable right away.

“Knowing the system has definitely helped me,” Ajirotutu said. “Even though it was my first day, I wasn’t really nervous. I just went out, ran routes and did what I have to do. It felt good.”

Ajirotutu will help the offense, but won't fill Goodman's role as kick returner.

Chargers coach Norv Turner wouldn't name a replacement during Monday's press conference, although cornerback Chris Carr has experience in the role and is the frontrunner to return future kicks.